Atlanta Falcons offseason still considered questionable by Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame recognized two of the best and two of the most questionable offseasons of 2024, in his opinion. Verderame highlights the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers in the off-season for different reasons. Pittsburgh was highlighted because of their treatment of the quarterback position, their ability to get rid of their 2022 NFL Draft quarterback Kenny Pickett, and the way they threw two darts to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields who happen to be profitable. (They represent a total of $4.4 million against the cap). With the Atlanta Falcons spending the money they made on Kirk and then spending top ten capital on Michael Penix, Jr., Verderame had more questions than answers:

Things started off very well this winter for general manager Terry Fontenot. He signed Kirk Cousins ​​to a four-year, $180 million contract. Even though Cousins ​​was coming off a torn Achilles and was 36 years old, it was more than defensible… Signing Cousins ​​was a smart bet. Worst case scenario, he doesn’t fully recover and is out after two years. Best-case scenario, he returns to form and the Falcons have a high-end deck for at least three and maybe four years.

Then the project happened.

Atlanta, a team with the No. 8 pick and a huge need for an edge rusher, was eyeing Alabama’s Dallas Turner. It was the perfect scenario. The card was returned…

We all know what happens from there.

It’s true. The Falcons are betting big on Cousins’ preparation after an Achilles injury. Yes, Atlanta took a top ten quarterback with other holes on the roster. All of this happened, and Atlanta will have to answer for it if it doesn’t work.

Along the same lines, what if that were the case? What if Atlanta could sustain more than a decade of above-average or good quarterback play? So will it be worth the bet on Penix?
One of the main concerns, which is extremely valid, is the lack of upside Penix’s rookie contract will give Atlanta:

Part of the reason it’s worth picking a quarterback in the first round is the huge and overwhelming financial advantage you get by having the most expensive position on a cheap contract.

Even though the Falcons love Penix and move on from Cousins ​​after two seasons, his contract dominates them for three years. That means Atlanta gets no financial benefit with Penix…until he gets an extension.

Truly stunning work.

We cannot deny it.

Losing rookie quarterback contract upside really stinks, but if Penix goes for it, he plays up to the investment in the quarterback room.

That said, it’s a huge gamble that you accept that this will turn out perfectly. The margin for error here is essentially zero, so there are plenty of questions to ask, but if this plays out the way the Falcons think, Atlanta has stability at the most important position in football for years to come.